As businesses return to some semblance of normalcy and global travel resumes, many organisations and corporate travellers look to a travel management agency to manage all their travel needs. Due to the multitude of benefits from cost savings in terms of flight bookings, accommodations, and other travel services, the essential role of a business travel company is undeniable.
With a growing number of travel management agencies everywhere, the crucial question is, how do you choose one that suits your company’s needs and provides value for money?
Read on further to find out the 6 top qualities of a travel management company to help you choose the right one for your next business trip.
Key points to consider when choosing a travel management company
1. Time and Cost savings
According to a survey by Google, it takes 32 visits to 10 different websites in 4 different categories just to book an airline ticket. Outsourcing your employees’ travel needs to a corporate travel company will allow your employees to focus on their work.
Many large and small businesses that outsource their travel services would have to incur a service fee to benefit from various perks and travel discounts offered by the travel management agency. Different travel packages offered by the business travel agency will result in any additional fees incurred being offset in terms of perks or discounts for flight bookings, hotel accommodations and other corporate travel services for your employees. In short, travel management is not just about getting the best deal but spending less time finding the right solution for safe and easy travel, either domestically or abroad for business.
2. Diverse and sustainable range of corporate travel programmes
Before deciding on the right business travel company for your business travels, check out ones that offer a diverse range of carriers and corporate programmes for comparison purposes. This way, you can determine which type of corporate programme suits your employees’ travel needs the best. A corporate travel company with flexible and diverse corporate rates and packages will help your company and employees make the best of the money they pay for a safe and stress-free travel experience.
In recent times, sustainability has become an integral part of business, and travel management companies are no exception. A study by Expedia found that “three in five travellers are willing to pay more fees to make a trip sustainable.” An environmentally friendly travel management company places greater emphasis on sustainable business travel practices such as partnering with green hotels and ground transportation to and from the airport or hotels via local rail or express bus routes.
3. Easy, transparent and convenient bookings
A transparent and smooth booking process makes a world of difference when your company or employees are booking flights, accommodations and related corporate travel services from a travel management agency. An excellent online booking system with easy access and accurate details of the fee structure, discounts, and facilities makes it quick and convenient for businesses or corporate travellers to be well-informed and ensures value for their money.
At the end of the day, businesses and corporate travellers want to know what they are being charged for and are wary of hidden costs when dealing with a business travel agency. Before selecting a business travel company, ask if their online booking system provides notifications on refunds for cancelled bookings or any penalties and additional costs for changing travel bookings.
4. A Personalised experience
Different types of companies or corporate travellers have different needs. Employees in the financial services travelling overseas for international conferences, or those in the manufacturing industry travelling to attend training and product launches may have specialised needs. To that extent, a corporate travel company that provides a personalised and pleasant experience would be a priority.
Furthermore, certain types of travel management agencies only cater to domestic travel. Choosing a business travel agency that does not specialise in international travel will make it difficult to change flight or hotel bookings and receive urgent updates on health and safety concerns. Alternatively, opt for a local one like Holiday Tours with affiliations to CWT, a long-standing global network in business travel management. Selecting a travel expert ensures your employees have access to excellent support services for a safe and comfortable business trip.
5. Cybersecurity
Business travellers are often prime targets of cyber attacks when travelling abroad, especially those working for corporations, media, academic or government bodies. Although cost savings is a priority in choosing the right corporate travel company, overlooking data security will put your company and employees’ confidential information at risk.
Take some time to discuss with the travel management company how your employees’ personal details and other sensitive information relating to your company are stored online. Ensure the business travel agency complies with data protection laws and offers quality data encryption which makes it inaccessible or unreadable by unauthorized persons. Sensitive information should only be stored for a limited timeframe and cease to exist once the business travel company has fulfilled its obligations.
6. Excellent support services
With unpredictable health and safety risks worldwide since the pandemic, a good travel management company would take every step to ensure your company and employees are well-informed of any safety, compliance, and health updates in advance or in real-time. A travel management agency with a centralised online platform and due regard to data privacy allow your employees to get the support and feedback they need around the clock in any part of the world. In addition, efficient support and risk management services play a significant role in helping your company and employees prepare for any unexpected scenarios without much hassle.
Travelling for business post-pandemic can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With the help of a travel management company, you can find the right travel solution that fits your company’s travel needs and enjoy time and cost savings, perks, and efficient support services for a safe and stress-free business trip anywhere around the world. Your employees will also feel valued knowing the company prioritises their safety and well-being, which in turn leads to increased productivity and long-term business success.
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